How to Shop Safely on the Internet: Important Tips for Older Aged People

Posted by Desertcart on August 9th, 2022

Like any other aspect of life, online shopping poses the risk of some potential hazards. The internet is a vast place that can be overwhelming for one not familiar with navigating it. In this article, we will discuss some tips for safe online shopping and how to stay safe when conducting these transactions.

How to Shop Safe to Avoid Scams

If you're over 50 and still looking for the perfect present for your loved ones, it's important to be aware of scams that can occur when shopping online and understand how safe it is to shop online. Here are some safe online shopping tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of a scam: 

• Always research the product you're buying before making a purchase. Make sure the information you find is accurate and that the seller has a good reputation.
  
  

• Never give out your personal information to anyone who contacts you online.

Important Tips for Older People Shopping on the Internet

If you're over 55, it's important to stay safe online shopping. 

1. Use A Secure Connection. Make sure your browser is using a secure connection (SSL) when you're shopping online. This means that your information will be encrypted so that it's not accessible to anyone who might try to intercept it. 

2. Use A Credit Card Safe Site to Shop Online. Many banks offer special websites where you can store your credit card information. This way, if there's ever a problem with your account, you can simply log in and retrieve your information. 

3. Protect Your Personal Information. When you're shopping online, make sure to protect your personal information by logging in with a different name and password each time you visit a site. And always be aware of which personal information is being requested and whether it's necessary for the purchase you're making. 

4. Be Sure to Check the Return Policy of the website before making any purchases. Some sites have very strict rules about returns, while others will accept returns without hesitation.

Scams You Should Be Aware of

If you're over 50 years old, you may be more likely to fall victim to a scam. 

1. Fake Charity Donations. A scammer might contact you claiming to be a charity or nonprofit organization and ask for your donation. They may request money for a cause that you support, or ask for personal information such as your bank account number or social security number. Don't give away your personal information or money to anyone you don't know!

2. Fake Sweepstakes Entries. A scammer may contact you claiming to have won a prize in a contest or sweepstakes, but they will ask for money to claim the prize. Don't give away your personal information or money to anyone you don't know!

3. Fake Job Offers. A scammer may contact you claiming to be from a company looking for new employees, but they will ask for your banking information or personal information such as your address and phone number. Don't give away your personal information or money to anyone you don't know!

4. Investment Schemes. A scammer may contact you offering an investment that seems too good to be true, but they will ask for your bank account numbers, and you may even be pressured to wire money overseas or pay fees to cover any delays. Don't give away your personal information or money to anyone you don't know!5. Fake debt collection. A scammer may contact you claiming that they have a debt that you owe, and if you don't pay this debt, then the consequences will be dire: jail time, bankruptcy, an IRS audit, a garnish on your wages etc. They may even threaten to turn this debt over to a third party who will make things much worse for you than actually paying the debt. Don't give away your personal information or money to anyone you don't know!6. Child support recovery scams. 

Ways to Prevent Identity Theft on Sites like Ebay and Amazon

One of the most common ways older adults are targeted for identity theft is by shopping online. When shopping online, it is important to take some precautions to protect your personal information and avoid becoming a victim of identity theft. 

1. Use A Secure Browser: When shopping online, use a secure browser such as Firefox or Chrome. These browsers encrypt your traffic and make it difficult for someone else to track your movements and steal your information.

2. Always Use A Secure Password: Create a strong password that is at least eight characters long and includes at least one number and one symbol. Never use easily guessed words like “password” or “123456”, and never reveal your password to anyone.

3. Don’t Leave Personal Information on Public Websites: Never leave personal information such as your full name, address, phone number, or email address on public websites like Ebay or Amazon. This information can be easily stolen and used to create fake accounts in your name.

4. Review Your Privacy Settings: When you sign up for an account with a website, review the privacy settings to make sure that only you and those you trust can see your information.

5. Use an Identity Theft Protection Service: Identity theft is a growing problem, and finding a reliable identity theft protection solution can be difficult. You should consider using one of the available services to protect your new account.

6. Report Any Suspicious Emails or Phone Calls to the Proper Authorities: If you receive any suspicious emails or phone messages in conjunction with your email address, report them immediately.

7. Change Your Email Password Frequently: Do not use the same password for multiple accounts, because hackers can easily guess these passwords and gain access to multiple accounts using one stolen password

8. Don’t Divulge Too Much Personal Information: Avoid divulging too much personal information

International Online Shopping:

Tips for safely international shopping online for older adults include never giving out personal information, using a secure browser, and verifying the address and phone number before making a purchase. Some common scams are fake shipping charges, unauthorized credit card charges, and phishing emails that ask for personal information. 

Older adults should also be aware of cyberbullying and online scams in international shopping sites  that involve children. The scammers use images or videos to embarrass or threaten the victim in an effort to get money or other valuable information. 

Some common scams that target seniors in international online shopping include phony investment schemes and 419 scams. In 419 scams, criminals pose as representatives from various companies such as banks or insurance companies in order to extract money from their victims. They may also ask for personal information such as bank account numbers or credit card numbers in order to legitimacy the scheme.

Conclusion:

Shopping online can be a great way to find the perfect gift for that special person, or to save some money on your shopping bill. However, like anything else in life, it is important to take precautions when shopping online.  Â Look through these tips to make sure you are protecting yourself when shopping online.